Several local governments have implemented “recycle right” programs to help reduce contamination in curbside recycling. The SWANA Applied Research Foundation (ARF) recently published a report presenting the costs and effectiveness of these educational programs designed to address and improve recycling behaviors. The report, Encouraging Better Curbside Recycling Behaviors, follows the ARF report released in March 2021, Reducing Contamination in Curbside Recycling Programs, which addressed curbside recycling contamination.

These reports are particularly timely in light of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy and its identification of reducing contamination as a key objective. The purpose of this session is to present highlights from these reports that will help recycling and sustainability managers to be able to identify and implement cost-effective anti-contamination programs in their communities.